Ellen Hollman: Ultimate Guy's Girl

Ellen Hollman is dripping in paint. Maybe you don't recognize her—she's usually wearing next to nothing. Her character on Starz's popular series, Spartacus, is the scantily-clad warrior Saxa—the show's first female fighter, who bludgeons gladiators with her weaponry and speed, fighting with the men for the Alpha throne. And she looks damn good doing it.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

You wouldn't want to mess with Saxa—or Hollman, for that matter. Today, the 28-year-old blonde beauty spent the afternoon playing with her favorite accessory: weapons—paintball guns, to be precise. And she’s more excited about the thrill of shooting them than getting her hair and makeup ready for a video shoot. When can I play with them?!? she asks.

She's not like the other girls. But then, the best ones never are, right?

MensHealth.com caught up with Hollman on stripping down, her gladiator bod, and what a real man should act like.

MensHealth.com: First things first: You're basically naked on the show. Ellen Hollman: I have no idea what you're talking about! (Laughs) That's why you do your situps and take your vitamins every day, guys!

It's funny actually, you just get used to seeing so many naked, lovely people every day. You almost become jaded. You'll be standing for 14 hours next to naked people, and not even realize it. I'll just think—Wow, that's a nice rack that's been in my face all day. How long have you been here? (Laughs.) Oh, you've been standing here for 12 hours? Alright, cool.

But it's all about confidence, I think. That's absolutely important.

MH: Seems like that would take a lot of confidence. EH: It's a lot in the preparation—you have to take care of yourself. Work hard, make sure your body is warmed up, and give yourself plenty of rest. It's not so much about what you look like—that will come with time.

MH: You have to push yourself pretty hard on set, right?EH: Yeah, there are injuries and whatnot, but when the costume, the set, and the cast surround you, it's like you're in a completely different world 14 hours a day. You're almost in that warrior mindset, and you don't want to stop. You want to go until you get it right. You're just in it to win it.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

MH: Gladiators 101: What should guys take away from them?EH: Fight for what you believe in, and don't give up until you get it. I think that in today’s society, people give up too easily—they want the fast result, and the quick train to success. Sometimes you have to hit the training mat; sometimes you have to fight the opponent in the gladiatorial arena; sometimes you have to put your time in to reach the level you want to be at. That may take days, weeks, or years—just don't quit and never compromise.

MH: And have fun!EH: Exactly! Keep a sense of humor—nobody is above looking like an asshole from time to time. (Laughs) Just don't take yourself too seriously.

MH: Is that something you look for in a guy—sense of fun over a Gladiator bod?EH: (Laughs) I think so. I mean, what someone lacks in appearance, humor will make up for it. Looks are ephemeral anyway. If someone doesn't have anything underneath the surface, you're wasting your time. Hell, you've got to be able to have fun. In the past 10 days, I've flown a helicopter, shot semiautomatic weapons—including a 45, which was amazing—and I've done knife training at an event hosted a fundraising event and eye clinic for my charity Visual Impact Now with fellow Sparty, Twilight, Revenge and CSI:Miami cast and did some majorly intense knife training with legends Diana Inosanto and Ron Balicki.

MH: That's it?!EH: (Laughs) Oh yeah, and always be a part of something that's bigger than you. Just remain humble with whatever you're doing in life because you're not above anything. We all go to the same place at the end of the day anyways.

Cassie ShortsleeveFreelance WriterCassie Shortsleeve is a skilled freelance writer and editor with almost a decade of experience reporting on all things health, fitness, and travel.

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Men's Health participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.